Because the calendar flipped from 2024 to 2025, No. 19 Illinois flipped a change and pulled off two superb feats on the highway.
On Jan. 2, the Illini set a nationwide report for largest highway win over an Related Press High 25 crew after they trashed No. 9 Oregon by 32 factors. On Tuesday night time, the Illini set the mark for many factors by a visiting crew in regulation at Indiana’s Simon Skjodt Meeting Corridor after they bounced the Hoosiers 94-69.
Additionally, it marked simply the second time in 773 video games over 54 seasons at Meeting Corridor that Indiana has misplaced by at the very least 25 – and the primary time in 125 years an Indiana crew allowed 60 factors in a half.
However Sunday presents the hardest highway take a look at but for Illinois (13-4, 5-2): A visit to No. 12 Michigan State (15-2, 6-0), which owns a 10-game profitable streak and sole possession of first place within the Large Ten.
Or, to listen to Spartans head coach Tom Izzo spin it, this showdown must be framed as his crew’s hardest take a look at but.
“Proper now, from the final two occasions I watched Illinois, we have got the Celtics or the Lakers coming in right here,” Izzo mentioned after Michigan State beat Penn State Wednesday night time. “So we have got loads of work to do in 3-4 days.”
Fact be advised, there’s good purpose for this recreation to be thought-about basically a tossup. Illinois entered the weekend main the nation in rebound margin (+12.4), however Michigan State ranks eighth at +10.3 rebounds per recreation.
The Illini entered the weekend ranked tenth nationally in KenPom’s defensive effectivity (92.5 factors per 100 possessions), however the Spartans sit 14th at 94.3. Illinois stands twentieth nationally in offensive effectivity (119.3 factors per 100 possessions), however Michigan State is only a smidge behind at twenty third (118.8).
Sure, Illinois ranks barely forward in these classes and some others. However whenever you throw within the impact of a hyped Michigan State residence crowd – and the arrogance the Spartans have constructed whereas profitable 10 video games in a row – it is anybody’s recreation.
Michigan State has developed by having 10 gamers of their rotation who Izzo can combine and match for each doable state of affairs. Senior guard Jaden Akins leads the best way in scoring (14.2 ppg) and minutes (26.5), however six different guys common at the very least 7.5 factors and 9 others play at the very least 14 minutes per recreation.
“I’ve normally had a professional or two I may go to on a regular basis,” Izzo advised Hoops HQ. “I haven’t got that, however we’re doing it by committee. Like anyone mentioned, ‘Who’re you going to go to?’ I mentioned, ‘Generally I do not know, however I do know one factor: The coach on the opposite finish, he has no thought as a result of I don’t know! It is not all dangerous. It is completely different.’
“And I believe I’ve bought a bunch of fellows who truly like one another. They are not jealous of each other… I’ve bought no ego, no entitlement. I’ve simply bought a bunch of fellows and it is a enjoyable crew to teach.”
Illinois’ Brad Underwood, in the meantime, rediscovered Tuesday simply how far more enjoyable it’s to teach with freshman level guard Kasparas Jakucionis. After lacking two residence video games with tendonitis in his left forearm – together with a 10-point loss to USC – Jakucionis scored 19 first-half factors at Indiana whereas orchestrating many of the 60-point outburst.
The 6-foot-6 18-year-old, not too long ago projected by a number of information sources as a high 5 choose within the 2025 NBA Draft, leads the Illini in scoring (16.7 ppg), assists (5.4 apg) and 3-point taking pictures (41.6 %) whereas additionally supplying 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per recreation and taking pictures 87.0 % on the line.
“I will state the apparent,” Underwood mentioned. “I believe we missed Kasparas. He is simply completely different. I do not know how one can describe him. He is one of many smartest folks I do know. He is very aggressive. Past his years.”
–Subject Stage Media